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Introdução: O Baby-led weaning (BLW) é uma abordagem alternativa para a introdução alimentar aos lactentes que tem se tornado popular. Objetivo: Investigar as evidências científicas a respeito do método BLW e sua versão modificada Baby-Led Introduction to Solids (BLISS). Métodos: A pesquisa de artigos foi realizada entre junho de 2018 e junho de 2019, por meio da base de dados US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed) utilizando as seguintes palavras-chaves: ‘BLW’, ‘Baby-led weaning’, ‘BLISS’, e ‘Baby-Led Introduction to Solids’. Foram incluídos todos os artigos originais encontrados no idioma inglês, publicados entre 2011 e 2019. Resultado: Vinte e cinco estudos foram incluídos na análise. As pesquisas sobre BLW/BLISS focaram principalmente nos temas: características, comportamentos e atitudes de mães e crianças, conhecimento de mães e profissionais de saúde sobre os métodos de introdução alimentar, avaliação de peso e de índice de massa corporal, avaliação da ingestão energética e de nutrientes e avaliação de episódios de engasgo e reflexo de gag das crianças. Conclusão: A maioria das pesquisas aborda experiências relacionadas ao BLW/BLISS e ainda existem poucas evidências sobre o método em termos de adequação de ingestão de energia e nutrientes e de crescimento na infância. Pontos positivos para a criança podem ser observados como aleitamento materno prolongado, maior independência ao se alimentar e melhor resposta à saciedade. Os métodos de introdução alimentar não diferem entre si em relação à ocorrência de episódios de engasgos.

Background: Food allergy is an abnormal immune response to antigens introduced into the body through food. Its prevalence has increased in developed and developing countries. Natural products are traditionally used to alleviate and treat diseases, and diet can play a role in both the prevention and management of food allergy. The effects of capsaicin as an anti-oxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory in the energy expenditure and suppression of fat accumulation have been demonstrated. This study evaluated the effect of oral supplementation with capsaicin on a food allergy model. Methods: OVA-sensitized mice received ovalbumin solution, and they were fed with chow supplemented with capsaicin for 7 days. The control group received AIN-93 chow with no supplementation. IgE anti-ova, inflammatory infiltration, oxidative stress and metabolic analysis were performed. Results: The results showed that capsaicin supplementation is not able to reduce characteristic signs of food allergy, such as production of IgE and weight loss. However, macrophages infiltration and IL-33 in proximal jejunum was reduced in OVA capsaicin group. In addition, hepatic triglycerides and intestinal hydroperoxides were reduced in both capsaicin groups. Conclusion: Oral supplementation with capsaicin attenuated important factors associated to food allergy such as inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting better prognosis and evolution of the disease. Keywords: Allergy, Capsicum, Intestinal mucosa

Tributyrin (TBT) is a triacylglycerol formed by three molecules of butyrate that is able to improve colonic mucosal lesions and inflammation when given orally or as an enema. The effects of systemic TBT administration in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been less well studied. We prepared a nanoemulsion containing tributyrin (nTBT) and studied its effects on a model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Mice were kept in the experiment for 15 days. Animals in the Colitis group received DSS (2.5% in their drinking water), whereas Control mice received only water during the last 7 experimental days. Animals were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with a nanoemulsion lacking TBT (Control and Colitis group) or containing TBT (Control nTBT and nTBT-Colitis) every other day for 15 days. Colonic mucosal damage and cytokine concentration were assessed by histopathological score and ELISA, respectively. Inflammatory infiltrates were assessed by enzymatic assay, and leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the colonic circulation were determined by intravital microscopy. Results revealed that the colonic architecture was not modified by nTBT administration. However, the colons of nTBT-Colitis mice presented reduced eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltration associated with increased TGF-β concentrations compared to those of the Colitis group. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion were reduced in the nTBT-Colitis group, suggesting a systemic anti-inflammatory effect of nTBT. In conclusion, our results show that nTBT administered intraperitoneally is effective in reducing DSS-induced inflammation, whereas the trophic effects described with oral or local administration of TBT were not present when it was injected systemically. Practical applications: In this study, we show that the intraperitoneal administration of a nanoemulsion with tributyrin (nTBT) is able to reduce the inflammation observed in DSS-induced colitis. Due to its anti-inflationary actions, nTBT could be used in the future as a potential auxiliary drug in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases as well as other disorders with a systemic (low-grade) inflammatory component such as atherosclerosis and obesity. Nanoemulsion of tributyrin (nTBT) reduces inflammation related to DSS induced colitis. The determination of macrophage (i), neutrophil (ii), and eosinophil (iii) infiltration in colon and intravital microscopy of mesenteric vessels showing the rolling (iv) and the adhesion (v) of total leukocytes in the colons of mice from the Control group receiving water and a nanoemulsion lacking tributyrin, the nTBT group receiving water and nanoemulsion with nTBT, the Colitis group receiving DSS and a nanoemulsion lacking tributyrin, and the Colitis nTBT group receiving DSS and nTBT. Different letters indicate p

Beneficial effects of L-arginine on immune responses and bowel function have been reported. Mucositis is a side effect of chemotherapy treatment that affects approximately 40% of patients. This complication is characterized by inflammation that affects the gastrointestinal tract, increasing permeability and causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which worsen the patient's nutritional status and increases morbimortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pretreating with 2% L-arginine supplementation in water on mucositis as induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; a single dose of 200 mg/kg body weight) in Swiss male mice. The effect of L-arginine on weight, intestinal permeability, morphology, and the histopathological score of the small intestine (from 0 to 12), oxidative stress, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities were evaluated. Intestinal length improvement was observed, in addition to the partial recovery of the mucosal architecture. L-arginine attenuated the histopathological score and MPO activity. There was also an improvement in intestinal permeability, despite weight loss after 5-FU administration. In conclusion, L-arginine can positively impact intestinal mucositis by promoting partial mucosal recovery, reducing inflammation and improving intestinal permeability.

Mucositis is a common complication in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is associated with pain, poor quality of life, and malnutrition, leading to an increased number of hospital admissions and prolonged hospitalization. The use of immunonutrients may be an alternative treatment option, which may help to improve patient outcome.Here we assessed the impact of L-citrulline (CIT) on a murine model of 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-induced mucositis.Swiss male mice were randomized into 4 groups: control, CIT, 5FU, and 5FU+CIT. Mice were fed with commercial chow and supplemented with an oral solution of alanine (control and 5FU groups) or CIT (CIT and 5FU+CIT groups). On the seventh day, mice received intraperitoneal phosphate-buffered saline or 5FU (200 mg/kg, single dose) to induce mucositis. On the 10th day, mice were euthanized, and the blood and small intestines were harvested. Body weight, morphology, histopathology score (hematoxylin and eosin) of the small intestine (from 0-12), myeloperoxidase activity, oxidative stress level, and intestinal permeability were assessed.We observed significant weight loss after the administration of 5FU in both treated and control animals. CIT administration contributed to a partial recovery of the mucosal architecture as well as an intermediate reduction of the histopathologic score, and functional intestinal permeability was partially rescued.CIT administration attenuated 5FU-mediated damage to the mucosal architecture of the small intestine, decreasing the size of the injured areas and promoting decreased intestinal permeability.

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the profiles of proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β) adipokines in the blood, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of metabolically healthy class III obese individuals and normal-weight controls. Methods The serum concentrations (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), mRNA expression levels (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), and adipose tissue secretion (ELISA) of IL-6, TNF, IL-10, and TGF-β were analyzed, as were the mRNA expression of FOXP3 (present in regulatory T cells) and the secretion (Western blotting) of matrix metalloproteinases in the adipose tissue. Results There were no differences in the circulating levels, expression, or secretion of IL-6 and TNF between the groups or tissues. The expression and circulating levels of IL-10 were higher in obese individuals, especially in the SAT. Although the blood concentration of TGF-β was similar between the groups, its expression and secretion levels were higher in the adipose tissues of obese individuals compared with controls. FOXP3 and MMP expression levels were higher in the SAT and VAT of obese individuals, respectively, compared with the controls. Conclusion Metabolically healthy, extremely obese individuals have effective immunoregulation to counter chronic obesity-related inflammation through the increased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β in adipose tissue, especially SAT; the increased presence of FOXP3-positive regulatory T cells; and increases in angiogenesis and adipogenesis induced by TGF-β and MMPs. These regulatory mechanisms could be important in the delayed onset of metabolic complications, even in extremely obese individuals.

Kefir Supplementation Improves Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress but does not Reduce Atherosclerotic Lesion in apoE Deficient Mice Cardiovascular diseases are related to several risk factors, and diet and life style modifications are among the targets of the treatment and prevention. Consequently, natural compounds that act as protective agents are continuously studied. In this context, kefir solutions have been proposed as a potential adjuvant of treatment, since some studies showed its role in reducing oxidative stress, and blood lipids. The present study investigated the effects of brown sugar-fermented kefir solution on the associate risk factor and development of atherosclerosis.

Background This study evaluated the relationship between ulcerative colitis and obesity, which are both chronic diseases characterized by inflammation and increases in immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods Mice with chronic ulcerative colitis induced by 2 cycles of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in the first and fourth week of the experiment were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity by 8 weeks. The animals were divided into 4 groups (control, colitis, HFD and colitis + HFD). Results Obesity alone did not raise histopathology scores, but the combination of obesity and colitis worsened the scores in the colon compared to colitis group. Despite the reduction in weight gain, there was increased inflammatory infiltrate in both the colon and visceral adipose tissue of colitis + HFD mice due to increased infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes. Intravital microscopy of VAT microvasculature showed an increase in leukocyte adhesion and rolling and overexpression of adhesion molecules compared to other groups. Moreover, circulating lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in the spleen and cecal lymph nodes were increased in the colitis + HFD group. Conclusion Our results demonstrated the relationship between ulcerative colitis and obesity as aggravating factors for each disease, with increased inflammation in the colon and adipose tissue and systemic alterations observed in the spleen, lymph nodes and bloodstream.